Damp Basement? Here’s How You Can Dry It Up

Whether you use your basement as merely a storage area, or it’s completely finished with a living space, one of your biggest fears is a damp basement. If your basement gets damp and wet, you have a problem on your hands that needs to be fixed right away.

As a homeowner, you know that whenever there’s unwanted water in your home, that poses a major threat. From mold to structural damage, there are many problems that can arise from a damp basement.

Having a soggy, wet basement isn’t an uncommon problem. We’re here to help you find the cause of your damp basement and to give you some real solutions to make sure it remains dry moving forward.

Signs and Dangers of a Damp Basement

Moisture problems can occur anywhere in the home and it’s crucial that you get them fixed as soon as possible. If you neglect the problem or only use minimal, temporary solutions, it’ll get out of hand. You’ll find yourself spending a ton of money trying to fix it.

Luckily, the signs of a wet basement aren’t too hard to notice, so you should be able to get things under control rather quickly.

One of the most noticeable signs that your basement is damp is when it just flat out smells musty and feels very humid. The air will feel thick and it’ll be an unpleasant experience every time you go down there.

Another very noticeable sign, that’s also extremely common, is when your basement gets easily flooded or water has no trouble entering during periods of heavy rain. If this is the case, you must act fast because water damage is almost inevitable when your basement floods easily.

Check for a line or ring of water/dampness along the bottom of your basement walls. This is a surefire sign that water is getting into your basement.

Also, check for condensation around your basement. Be sure to inspect your windows, walls, and any glass or metal objects.

Dangers of a Damp Basement

Obviously, the biggest reason why you need to make sure you fix your wet basement is because of potential water damage. If not taken care of right away, water damage can lead to multiple problems that can end up costing thousands to repair.

With water comes mold. When the dampness is ignored for a long period of time, you open the doors for mold to start growing. Mold is very harmful to your health and must be removed immediately. If you let the problem grow, quite literally, you’ll need to seek professional service to make sure it gets completely removed.

Your basement makes up the foundation of your home. Without a proper foundation, your home’s structural integrity is at risk. We’re not saying a damp basement will cause your home to collapse, but it will cause foundation problems that can end up costing a ton of money to repair.

What to Do to Dry Up Your Damp Basement

Depending on the cause of your wet basement problem, there are different solutions to dry it up. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common ways that you can rid your basement of moisture.

Add a Dehumidifier

This is often the first step that homeowners take in their attempt to make their basement dry and comfortable. While adding a dehumidifier may seem like it’s working to start off, in the long run, your basement may still be damp.

Putting a dehumidifier in your basement is a good temporary solution to the problem while you’re still trying to find out the source of the dampness.

Insulate Your Pipes and Walls

If you find that the pipes in your basement are getting coated with water droplets, then that could very well be the reason why your basement is damp.

A simple solution to this would be to insulate your pipes. You can find foam pipe insulation at any local hardware or department store. It’s inexpensive and easy to install. You’ll have your problem fixed in no time.

If you’ve checked your walls and there isn’t any water coming through them, a very good practice is to insulate them. This will make your basement more energy efficient and help you save money on heating bills. You must make sure that water isn’t coming through before insulating or else mold will easily form between the insulation and the wall.

Check Your Gutters

Another common reason why your basement is damp can stem from damaged or broken gutters. You might be thinking, “My gutters are on the roof. How can they affect my basement?”

Gutters’ main purpose is to distribute water away from the foundation of your home. If they can’t do that, then water builds up along your foundation and eventually penetrates into your basement.

You can find out more about when to replace your gutters in this article. If you do need new gutters, Feldco has you covered with the best seamless gutters in the Midwest. Get a free quote now for your next gutter project.

Old Windows Can Cause a Damp Basement

It’s true, if your windows are old or damaged, they will definitely cause your basement to become wet and damp. If you do have windows in your basement, you know that they provide an excellent source of light in an otherwise dark place.

With that being said, they must be in great shape and made from the proper material in order to keep moisture out of your basement.

For Midwest homeowners, the best option is to have vinyl windows installed. Unlike their wood and aluminum counterparts, vinyl windows will never warp, rot, expand or dent when faced with tough weather conditions.

Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Working Well

One of the most important aspects of your basement is the sump pump. It helps keep your basement dry and protected from water damage.

If yours isn’t working as well as it should, you need to replace it before disaster happens. The last thing you want is for a heavy storm to roll through and your sump pump is unable to keep up.

Inspect Your Walls

If you have unfinished walls, then the source of dampness may be coming from cracks in the cement. Look for any water spots and seal up the cracks before it gets worse.

If you don’t want to finish your walls with insulation and drywall, then a good measure to take is to waterproof your basement walls. There are many professional services that do this or you can opt to do it yourself if you’re comfortable with your skills.

Tell Dampness Goodbye and Keep Your Basement Dry

Nobody likes being in a damp and humid room and it’s not good to store items in one either. If you have a damp basement, you need to act quickly before you suffer any water damage or foundation troubles.

Whether it’s something as small as insulating pipes or something more major like replacing your windows, you need to keep the basement dry at all times.

For all your basement window and gutter replacement needs, you can trust Feldco to get the job done right. There’s no wonder why over 350,000 homeowners have trusted us with their home improvement needs. Get a free quote online to end your damp basement days.

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